Can the Pilot Policy for New Energy Vehicles Help Cities Achieve Synergistic Effects in Pollution Reduction and Carbon Emission Reduction?
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Abstract Taking the pilot policy for new energy vehicles as a quasi-natural experiment and utilizing panel data from 282 Chinese cities from 2004 to 2021, this study employs a multi-period difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of the new energy vehicle pilot policy on urban synergies between pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction. The study shows that the pilot policy for new energy vehicles has promoted the synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction in cities, and this conclusion remains valid after a series of tests. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that the pilot policy for new energy vehicles has a stronger synergistic effect on pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction in cities with a low thermal power generation structure, cities with a high level of intelligent transportation, and cities in the “acid rain or sulfur dioxide” control zones. From the perspective of transmission mechanism, pilot policies for new energy vehicles can help cities achieve synergistic efficiency in reducing pollution and carbon emissions through three channels: promoting technological progress, optimizing energy structure and guiding green investment. An expansive analysis reveals that the pilot policy for new energy vehicles has a significant positive spatial spillover effect on the coordinated reduction of pollution and carbon emissions in cities, mainly achieved by enhancing joint innovation capabilities and attracting green investors to enter. Therefore, we should continue to deepen the construction of pilot cities for new energy vehicles and use new clean transportation tools to help cities achieve sustainable development goals.
JIANG Hao,DENG Feng. Can the Pilot Policy for New Energy Vehicles Help Cities Achieve Synergistic Effects in Pollution Reduction and Carbon Emission Reduction?. Economic Survey, 2025, 42(6): 089.
2025, Vol. 42 
